Sheet feeding machine



Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 dttorncga Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 3 Gttornega Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Snoentor lDec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH 1,982,823

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July so, 1932 17 sheets-sheet 5 KNN attorney Dec. 4, 1934. R. Ml-:Rl-:DITH

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 6 msm NQN Suventor Gttorneg DeC- 4, 1934- R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 Buvcnfor Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 8 DeC- 4, 1934- R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Shea?l 9 R. MEREDITH Dec. 4, 1934.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 3U, 1952 17 Sheets-Sheet lO r 0 t n e D n 3 Dec- 4, l934- R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 50, 1932 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 1l Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July .'50, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet l2 Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 13 3 nventor Gttornegb Dec. 4, 1934. R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July C59, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 N ium m3 3|. m@ OFM@ uw m LLM OF .Own l, o f .Q ii lnm o m. o 0 .v m9 m .5 .Saw o3 mE i we m5 M m @w i on m o o: m .v .NQ uv n ..1 n ww o mf @Tw m .n n .o om Q om: o o m oom oom oom .MN m9 d wm um .Sm

@anna/@0114 ma@ 4, 19134 R. MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 3C), 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 mmm Dec.l4, 1934. R, MEREDITH SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 Mmm De@ 4, 1934- R. MEREDITH..

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 17 IN VEN TOR /Qod4/ 77th/Lm Cadmm MMU Gf/ n,

A TTORNEYS LLI H, m am R Patented Dee. 4, i 1934 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE SHEET FEEDING MACHINE Application July 30, 1932, Serial No. 626,906

94 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeding mechanism, and while capable of general use, is particularly adapted to feed sheets of material to a printing press or other sheet receiving means` One object of this invention is to provide improved mechanism which feeds sheets one after another either in a substantially continuous manner, or any desired timed relation, to the printing press or other sheet receiving means to be fed.

Another object of this invention is to provide mechanism embodying a novel arrangement and association of pack advancing, sheet separating, and sheet conveying instrumentalities which cooperate with each other to feed the sheets successively to the sheet receiving means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved mechanism of the type above referred to, which supports and advances a pack of sheets standing on edge one behind another, and enables each sheet to be forwarded from its standing position and advanced for delivery to the sheet receiving means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved mechanism which is constructed and operated to feed sheets of tin or other metal or other stiff materials, efficiently and with great rapidity to means for operating upon such sheets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet feeder of the type 'wherein the sheets stand on edge one behind another and which enables the supply of sheets thereon to be replenished without stopping said feeder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feeder of the type wherein the sheets stand on edge one behind another, and which may be loaded, or have the supply of sheets thereon replenished, with sheets initially supplied to the feeder standing on edge one behind another or laying horizontally in a stack one on another.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved pack supporting and advancing mechanism of the type wherein the sheets stand on edge one behind another.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improved front stops, adjustments, and control devices, for the pack supporting and advancing mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack loading means for the pack supporting and advancing mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack loading means enabling the pack supporting and advancing mechanism to be reloaded while in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and forwarding devices that separate and advance sheets suc- 60 cessively from a supply thereof on a feeder.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and forwarding devices that facilitate the separation and forwarding of sheets from a pack thereof standing on 05 edge one behind another.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and forwarding devices which are operated se thatl they will not interfere with advancing movements of sheets by conveying mechanism to which the sheets are delivered.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and forwarding devices which may "be rocked inwardly and outwardly of opposed margins of a sheet to facilitate separation thereof from a supply and to insure advancing movement of said sheet by the sheet conveying mechanism.

Another object of this invention is `to provide sheet separating and forwarding devices of the suction type with improved means for making and breaking the vacuum therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and forwarding devices of the suction type operated and controlled so that the vacuum may be made and. broken therein to facilitate separation and forwarding of sheets from a. pack thereof standing on edge one behind another.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating and conveying mechanisms which are constructed, operated, and associated so that sheets standing on edge one behind another may be separated and conveyed for delivery to sheet receiving means. e

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet conveying mechanism which has cooperating stationary and movable curved portions that enable the sheets to be turned while being advanced by said mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet conveying mechanism which is of the endless type, and improved sheet supporting means on which the sheets are advanced by sheet engaging devices of the sheet conveying mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to pro- Vide an improved sheet conveying mechanism 11o having parts that are adjustable to accommodate sheets of various widths.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved mechanism for accelerating movement of the sheets from the sheet conveying mechanism to the sheet receiving means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved guide means over which the sheets are advanced from the sheet conveying mechanism to the sheet receiving means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet conveying means which receives sheets from a feeder or other instrumentality and supports and advances the sheets so that the surfaces thereof will not be disfigured or marred. l

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means forgloading a feeder from the floor or foundation on which it is supported, conveniently and at relatively low heights.

- Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of loading a feeder either by hand or truck, and wherein the time and labor incident to loading the feeder are reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved sheet feeding or handling means embodying novel devices that enable sheets to be supplied thereto and conveniently placed for registering purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a. sheet feeder which prevents the delivery of more than one sheet at a time without stopping the feeder.

Another object of this invention` is to provide improved pack loading means which enables a pack of sheets to be moved into position in a feeder and then dropped onto the advancing means thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved feeder which enables the feeding of sheets of metal or other substances coated, printed, or impregnated and in a sticky or tacky condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved devices or instrumentalities for loading a supply of sheets on a feeder or other machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved feeder loading means having novel devices and attachments thereon for adjusting the load to any desired configuration and position.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack holding and loading means and devices thereon for retaining the pack or load in any desired position.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack holding and transporting means for the delivery of a pack or supply of sheets to any desired point or instrumentality.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack holding and loading means and novel devices thereon whereby the pack or load may be quickly and conveniently transferred to the mechanism or device to receive it.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved pack loading means and novel devices thereon supporting the pack or load and arto deliver the load when it has been moved into position with respect to the device or instrumentality to receive it.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved loading means for delivering a new supply of sheets to a feeder and constructed and arranged so as to be connected therewith and advance the diminishing supply and the new supply while parts of the feeder are being adjusted to receive and feed the new supply.

Another object of this invention is to provide sheet transporting and loading devices which, when placed in position in, and connected with, a sheet receiving device, constitute the advancing mechanism for the diminishing and new supplies of sheets until replaced by the advancing mechanism of the sheet receiving device.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating means which flexes or buckles the sheet in a novel manner to separate it from the supply, and enables the sheet to be separated from the supply without carrying another sheet or sheets therewith.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating means which buckles the sheet in a novel manner and enables it to straighten out after it has been separated from the supply or front end of the pile.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating devices which, through differential motion during part of their cycle of operation and the production of buckles successively in angularly or transversely related directions, separates the sheet from the supply regardless of the character of the material or the tendency of the sheets to adhere together.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet separating means for a feeder of the type wherein the sheets stand on edge one behind another, and novel means for yieldably mounting the sheet separating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved sheet feeding means which may be thrown out of operation while an additional supply of sheets is being placed on the feeder, and then thrown into operation with respect to said supply to feed the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved loading means and improved sheet feeding means, wherein mechanism which advances the sheets on the sheet feeding means becomes inoperative during reloading by the loading means, and advancing mechanism of the loading means is either operative or inoperative accordingly.

Another object of this invention is to provide sheet transporting and loading means which, when positioned in and connected with a sheet receiving device, constitute advancing mechanism for the entire supply of sheets until replaced by advancing mechanism of the sheet receiving device.

These and other objects of this invention will appear as the following description thereof proceeds and in order to more clearly understand said invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments of the inventive idea, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

In said drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1a are complementary side views of associated sheet receiving, sheet conveying, sheet separating and forwarding, and pack feeding and loading mechanisms embodying the present invention;

Figs. 2 and 2a are complementary vertical longitudinal sectional views of the mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 and 1a;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, with parts omitted, on the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse vertical sectional views, with parts omitted, on the lines 4 4 and 5 5, respectively, of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 6 is a, detail perspective view of driving means for the above mentioned mechanisms;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view, with parts omitted, of the pack feeding mechanism and driving connections therefor;

Fig. 7a is a detail perspective view of a pack holder;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of sheet stops, sheet detectors, and a link carried pawl controlled and operated by said sheet detectors;

Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of mechanism controlled by the link carried pawl and, in turn, controlling the operation of the pack feeding mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of another sheet stop;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the sheet separating and forwarding devices and the supporting frame for the pack feeding mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of a pack of sheets and the sheet separating and forwarding devices, showing the latter engaged with the foremost sheet of the pack;

Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are side views of the pack and the sheet separating and forwarding devices, showing the various positions occupied by the latterY during operation of the same to engage, separate, and forward the sheets from the pack;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a feed board, guide members, and a frame for the sheet conveying mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of another conveyor frame;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the rst named conveyor frame and associated devices, as viewed from the inner side of said frame;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail perspective View of sheet pushing ngers, operating means therefor, and cams for actuating the sheet separating means;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the loading mechanisms shown in Figs. 1a and 2a.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of a machine similar to that shown in preceding figures but equipped with another sheet separating and forwarding mechanism and another loading mechanism, embodying the present invention;

Fig. 24 is an end view of the machine and loading mechanism shown in Fig. 23, looking from the right thereof;

Fig. 25 is a detail perspective view of the sheet separating and forwarding mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 26 is a side elevation of a machine similar to those shown in preceding gures but equipped with another loading mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 27 is an end view of the machine and loading mechanism shown in Fig. 26, looking from the right thereof;

Fig. 28 is a detail perspective view of the loading mechanism shown in Figs. 26 and 27;

Fig. 29 is a side elevation of a machine similar to those shown in preceding figures but equipped with another loading mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 30 is an end view of the machine and loading mechanism shown in Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 is a detail perspective view of the loading carriage shown in Figs. 26. 27, 29 and 30;

Fig. 32 is a side elevation of a machine similar to those shown in preceding figures but equipped with another loading mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 33 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 33 33 of Fig. 32; and

Fig. 34 is an enlarged side elevation of the loading mechanism illustrated in Fig. 32, showing the same in a different position.

MACHINE FRAMEWORK ANB MAIN DRIVING MECHA- NrsM Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, 11, 18, 19, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 32 to 34, inclusive The machine framework is mounted on a suitable foundation 5, and includes a bed plate 6 having spaced parallel extensions 7 providing a run-way 8 for loading mechanisms or trucks to be hereinafter described. This runway 8 is provided with recesses 8 to receive the wheels of said loading mechanisms and prevent accidental displacement of the same when they are moved into operative relation with the feeder. 'Ihe bed plate 6, and its extensions 7. are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation at 9 and l0, respectively. and said bed plate and extensions 7 have mounted thereon spaced parallel frames indicated broadly at l1 (Fig. 3). These frames l1 serve to support the movable parts of pack feeding mechanism hereinafter described, and are so placed as to enable the aforesaid loading mechanisms or trucks to be moved along the run-way 8 into and out of operative relation with said pack feeding mechanism.

The frames l1 each have spaced parallel side members 12 which are connected together at intervals along the same by cross-members 13 secured to or formed integrally with said side members (Figs. 3 and 11). The frames 11 are of relatively low height to enable the pack feeding mechanism thereon to be conveniently loaded, and said frames and said mechanism may, if desired, be readily associated with means for conveying sheets thereabove to any desired height for delivery to another machine or instrumentality. Secured to or formed integrally with the side members 12 are front legs 14 and rear legs l5 for supporting the frames l1 in spaced parallel relation at opposite sides of the run-way 8. The front legs 14 are bolted or otherwise secured, as at 16, to the bed plate 6 and the rear legs 15 are bolted or otherwise secured at 17 to the rear portions of the extensions 7 of said bed plate. 'I'he side members l2 of the frames 1l are extended forwardly of the front legs 14, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 11 of the drawings, and the innermost side members 12 of said frames have secured to, or formed integrally with, the forwardly extending portions thereof, brackets 18 extending at right angles from said innermost side members l2 and each provided with a series of openings 19 (Fig. 11). 

